For the first time that anyone can remember, the first lady traveled to the State of the Union without the president, Stephen Colbert noted on Wednesday's Late Show. "So the state of our union is strong. The state of their union? It's complicated." He ran through some of the scuttlebutt about Melania Trump's white pantsuit, and her possible anger stemming from President Trump's alleged affair and hush-money payout to Stormy Daniels. "Apparently, the reports of a payoff blindsided the first lady," Colbert said, quoting The New York Times. "Not the sex, the payoff. He never pays anyone."
The first lady also bowed out of Trump's trip to Davos at the last minute, citing "scheduling and logistical issues," fueling speculation of discord. "Of course, scheduling issues — she couldn't go with him because hell hadn't frozen over yet," Colbert joked. Instead she flew to Mar-a-Lago and relaxed at the spa. "She got a Japanese massage, I think it's called shehatesyou," he said. "So, is Melania Trump at the end of her rope? Let's go straight to the source" — in this case The Late Show's Melania Trump stand-in, Laura Benanti.
The Late Show's Melania told Colbert about her outfit, her anniversary presents, why the rumors of Trump's infidelity are "fake news," and how she was "glued to her seat" during Trump's State of the Union speech. "I cannot wait to vote in next presidential election," she said. "For your husband?" Colbert asked. "Oh, of course — unless I have scheduling and logistical issues," she replied. Watch below. Peter Weber
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Can Trump put his tariffs on stronger legal footing?Today's Big Question Appeals court says 'emergency' tariffs are improper
-
Film reviews: The Roses, Splitsville, and TwinlessFeature A happy union devolves into domestic warfare, a couple's open marriage reaps chaos, and an unlikely friendship takes surprising turns
-
Thought-provoking podcasts you may have missed this summerThe Week Recommends Check out a true crime binger, a deep-dive into history and more
-
Florida erases rainbow crosswalk at Pulse nightclubSpeed Read The colorful crosswalk was outside the former LGBTQ nightclub where 49 people were killed in a 2016 shooting
-
Trump says Smithsonian too focused on slavery's illsSpeed Read The president would prefer the museum to highlight 'success,' 'brightness' and 'the future'
-
Trump to host Kennedy Honors for Kiss, StalloneSpeed Read Actor Sylvester Stallone and the glam-rock band Kiss were among those named as this year's inductees
-
White House seeks to bend Smithsonian to Trump's viewSpeed Read The Smithsonian Institution's 21 museums are under review to ensure their content aligns with the president's interpretation of American history
-
Charlamagne Tha God irks Trump with Epstein talkSpeed Read The radio host said the Jeffrey Epstein scandal could help 'traditional conservatives' take back the Republican Party
-
CBS cancels Colbert's 'Late Show'Speed Read 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' is ending next year
-
Shakespeare not an absent spouse, study proposesspeed read A letter fragment suggests that the Shakespeares lived together all along, says scholar Matthew Steggle
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wifespeed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
